Inheriting a SECRET (Corrigan & Co. #7)(10)
“We should get down to business. I’m sure Matt can entertain himself somewhere,” Helen says.
“Matt’s not going anywhere,” Reina tells her.
“This is Society business, not Corrigan.”
“Matt—along with Nate, Aiden, and Jake—have helped us all in immeasurable ways. They are part of the Society, whether it’s official or not.”
“We didn’t agree to that. There’s been no vote.”
“I’m in charge now, Mallory, and while I welcome input from everyone, this is ultimately my decision.”
They stare each other down, and I’m honestly a little scared. After neither one of them looks away for over a minute, Matt speaks up. “I’m going to go.”
“You don’t have to,” Reina assures him.
“Thank you,” he tells her, cupping her face tenderly. He leans in for a soft kiss before pulling back to smile at her. “Just fill me in later. I need to call Nate and let him know Darcy’s okay anyway. He already wants to get on a plane over here.”
“We may need him later.”
“He wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“Thank you for coming, Matt,” I say, letting him hug me tight enough to almost crush my lungs. “Please tell Nate I’m good. He needs to stay with Jade—or she might marry that pony instead of him one day.”
“It is a possibility. But just remember, DC, we’ll always be here for you. Always.”
I laugh as he walks away. The guys started calling me DC because I love superheroes so much. They thought it fit since I can climb like a cat, and I was once a cat burglar. It stands for Darcy Cat, which makes me think of the man who makes my pulse race when he calls me Cat. He’s the one I need to concentrate on right now, and not just because I’m attracted to him. I turn back to Reina.
“What’s the plan, Rei?”
“I spoke to the queen alone, and advised her that the only way you’re going to Cyndryann is if we have access to all of their security feeds and are allowed to place additional personnel on site.”
“If they know who we place, won’t they be able to immobilize them if Brayden doesn’t back off.”
She smirks at me. “That’s why we’ll be sending a few other people later if we have to.”
“They won’t stand out? I mean, the country is smaller than Manhattan.”
“Oh they’ll stand out alright, but the locals will love it. Trust me.”
“I always do.”
“Can you tell me what he wants from you?”
“No. I really can’t.”
Reina nods. “I understand. I do. It’s just making things more difficult for me and the team.”
“If it’s any consolation, she won’t tell me, either,” Mallory says.
“I don’t think it’s a matter of ‘won’t. She’d tell us if she could.”
“Thank you for saying that.”
“We’ve been together through all of this for several years now. We’re not best friends, but I think I know you quite well. I also believe that I’m a good judge of character. You wouldn’t ever jeopardize us, so you’re owed the right to your secrets.”
“I would never knowingly do anything to put anyone from the Society in extra danger.”
“I believe you. You also need to know that what Matt said, goes for me and everyone else. That cocky little bastard may be a prince, but if he touches you in a way you don’t want, or has someone else do it, he’s a dead man. Make no mistake about that.”
I know she means it, and I also know I don’t deserve it. I won’t turn down the backup, though. “I guess I have to go back tonight, huh?”
“You do have to go back, but I want to make them sweat a little. I’m thinking you should meet Brayden alone first to feel him out. He’s promised to behave, and he was very convincing. I’d like to see how you feel with him, though. If you think anything is off, we’re going to draw out the separation a little longer.”
“I appreciate that. There’s an Italian restaurant in the mall that looked good. It’s called Quindici.”
“Perfect. I’ll have him meet you there at 7.”
“I should probably change. I got a couple of other things at the mall.”
“No, Darce. You need to go as you are. Don’t put out any extra effort for that ass.”
I bite my lip before replying. “I kind of liked him before he threatened me. We already kissed and made out a little.”
“If he wants you, it shouldn’t matter what you’re wearing. I’m with Reina. Be you,” Mallory tells me before giving me a hug and leaving.
Reina and I go over a few more details, and I have to smile when she tells me who’s going undercover. Especially the second team that Brayden and his mom don’t know about. I definitely feel safer now than I did last night. I just don’t know if it will be enough to keep me alive—or who will want the first shot. The man who orchestrated this all, Brayden, or the Society. I also don’t know which would be worse.
* * *
Brayden
My palms are sweating as I wait for Darcy in this festive Italian place. My palms never sweat. Just another thing to add in the “only Darcy can make me feel this way” list I’ve started in my head. I have a feeling that it’s going to be pretty f*cking long by the time we part ways.